The UK Inexperienced Enterprise Awards are again for 2026 and the deadline for entries on the twenty seventh February is imminent. Yearly the awards entice a whole lot of entries and produce collectively enterprise leaders, sustainability executives, entrepreneurs, traders, policymakers, and campaigners from throughout the inexperienced financial system. However what makes the perfect entries stand out and how will you maximise your probabilities of success on the UK’s most prestigious inexperienced enterprise awards?
BusinessGreen editor-in-chief and chair of the UK Inexperienced Enterprise Awards judging panel, James Murray, affords his 10 high recommendations on what makes for a compelling entry.
1. Take into account the classes fastidiously
The awards have a variety of classes designed to cowl most, if not all, points of the inexperienced financial system. It helps to contemplate which class is the perfect match to your organisation or venture and tailor your entry accordingly. And keep in mind, you possibly can completely enter a couple of class.
2. Learn the factors
The judges are all the time in search of entries that mix innovation and influence, however the particular standards for every class give a helpful steer on the problems they need to see addressed. The strongest classes contact upon the factors, even when they do not reference every level explicitly, and clearly clarify why this entry is a deserving finalist.
3. Take into consideration the timelines
Inexperienced firms and initiatives take time to develop and entries can and may reference an organisation’s heritage. However the awards are for 2026 and as such the judges are in search of why an entry ought to win this yr. Proof of progress made and achievements delivered previously 18 months or so is essential.
4. Readability is essential
The strongest entries adhere to the fundamentals of excellent journalism. You need to depart the judges with little question concerning the ‘who, what, when, the place, why, and the way’ on the coronary heart of the entry. And it’s essential be crystal clear on what an organisation, product, or service does, and be ready to clarify any technical jargon you could use.
5. Attempt to inform a narrative
A level of human curiosity and a story act will help entries seize the judges’ consideration. How did the organisation, venture, or particular person get their begin? What motivated them? What had been they aiming to realize? What challenges did they overcome? How did they succeed and what influence did they’ve? The place are they seeking to go subsequent? An entry that tells a compelling story has a superb likelihood of standing out from the gang.
6. Present your working
Nonetheless, any narrative must be accompanied by proof. Entries should present what has been achieved, how environmental impacts have been lowered, and what advantages have been delivered. And so they want credible proof to again up such claims. Information, requirements, and testimonials can all assist on this regard.
7. Follow the phrase rely
The phrase restrict for every entry is beneficiant, however additionally it is there for a cause. The judges are cut up into teams to keep away from any conflicts of curiosity and guarantee they’ll learn every entry intimately, however they nonetheless have scores of finalists to contemplate. Making entries as concise as potential usually helps to make sure the core of the story is clearly expressed.
8. Search for assist
It’s not important to submit supporting materials, however photographs, graphs, and stories can all serve to offer proof and assist judges visualise what a venture or innovation entails. Nonetheless, any such materials ought to assist the entry and never be a substitute for the entry itself.
9. Test the diary
In case your entry makes it by to the shortlist you will need to be a part of the celebrations on the UK Inexperienced Enterprise Awards themselves throughout London Local weather Motion Week on the night of Wednesday twenty fourth June. Test your diary and be sure you and your colleagues can take advantage of the night.
10. Seize the chance
The awards are designed to showcase and have fun the perfect of the UK’s inexperienced enterprise group, so if you’re named as a finalist be sure you maximise the chance they provide. Promote your achievement on social media, make use of the finalist emblem, and invite your shoppers and networks to hitch you in celebrating the exceptional progress that’s persevering with proper throughout the inexperienced financial system.
For additional recommendation on the right way to produce a compelling entry, take a look at our latest webinar with a few of skilled judges discussing what they search for in a finalist.
